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G. C. OFFEN.

AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.21,1920- RENEWED APR. 28, 1921.

Patented June 21, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- INVENTOR G. Uff'em WITNESSES ATTORNEYS UNITEDSTATESi PATENT OFFICE.

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Annormn Specification 01 Letters Patent. Patented J 11116 21,

Application fled August 21, 1920, Serial No. 105,146. Renewed April 28, 1821. Serial No. 435 I to induce a suction or partial vacuum, and

utilize said suction or partial vacuum to assist or transmit motion to the propelling means.

A still further object is to provide an a rship having an improved arrangement of propeller operating means in which the air current passing rearwardly 1s utilized to transmit motion to the propeller of the machine.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts as Will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in longitudinal section illustrating my improvements applied to an ordinary type of aeroplane.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view in transverse section on the-line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a similar view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

1 represents the body of the aeroplane which may be constructed in any'approved manner and which is supported by wings or planes 2, and provided with any improved form of landing device 3. 4 represents a motor which may constitute an internal combustion engine, a as generator, or a steam boiler, or in fact t e motor 4 may constitute any form of enerator which generates a gas or motor flui of any kind and I do not wish to be limited to any particular type of motor or generator employed.

In the body 1, a tubular shaft 5 is longitu- I dinally posit1oned, and has'rotary mounting in bearings 6 connected b spiders or frames 7 with the body 1. This .tubular shaft 5 has a conical or hell mouth inlet end 8 with a spider 9 at its forward end, to which 'the 5 may turn in a conical casin 12 if desired,

which provides a. strehgthemng means for the bell mouth and obviates lateral displacement. H I

An exhaust pipe 13 is located at the rear end of the body 1, and is of general tapering form throughout the greater portion of'its length, and is provided interiorly and 'centrally wlth an ex ansion nozzzle-14 which 1s tapered in con ormity with the'exhaust pipe 13. At the point of juncture between the exhaust pipe 13 and the tubular shaft 5 the said exhaust pipe is made with an annularly expanded chamber 15 receivin the outlet end of an exhaust pipe 16, the atter discharging rearwardly and into the expanslon nozzle 14. n

A turbine or other form,of rotary motor 17 1s positioned around the tubular shaft 5,

and the rotor 18 of the turbine is fixed to the shaft 5. An inlet or supply pipe 19 con-' nects the generator or motor 4 with the turblne 17 and the exhaust pipe 16 above referred to connects the outlet of said turbine with the exhaust pipe 13. I have not attempted to illustrate the particular form of turbine or rotary motor employed as it is obvious that I may employ any structure which will perform the functions intended.

The operation is as follows: The motive fluid from the motor or generator 4 passes through the pipe 19 and operates to turn the rotor 18 and thus impart rotary motion to the tubular shaft 5 and turn the propeller 11. The exhaust from the turbine 17 escapes through the pipe 16 and through the expansion nozzle 14. As the airship or aeroplane moves through the air the current of air Willpass into the bell mouth 8 through the tubular shaft 5 into the exhaust pipe 13, and induce a suction or partial vacuum' through the expansion nozzzle 14 and exhaust pipe 16, thereby causing a turn-v ing movement, or in any event augmenting the turning movement of the rotor 18 of the turbine 17.

It will thus be seen that I utilize the movement of the air through the bell mouth 8 and tubular shaft 5 to impart motion to the airship, and by providing a relatively sults.

the

It is pomible that in some cases the motion of the air or partial vacuum created thereby will be sufficient to turn the turbine rotor, but inany event such movement of air will be utilized to augment the generator, and furthermore will have a tendency to steady and maintain horizontal, the body of lane in flight. hile I have illustrated what I believe to be a preferred embodiment of my invention, I would have it understood that I do not limit myself to the precise details set forth, but consider myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. The combination with an airship, of a tubular shaft extending entirely therethrough, a propeller fixed to the inlet'end of the shaft, and a fluid motor for revolving the shaft.

2. The combination with an airship, of a tubular shaft extending entirely there.- through, .a propeller fixed to the inlet end of the shaft, a fluid motor for revolving the shaft, and means for utilizing the movement of the air through the shaft to create a partial vacuum asslsting the motor exhaust.

3. The combination with an airship, of a tubular shaft, a bell mouth at the inlet end of said shaft, a propeller secured to said bell mouth, an exhaust pipecommunicating with the rear end of the tubular shaft, a fluid motor on the tubularshaft, and an exhaust pipe connecting the outlet of the fluid motor.

with the first mentioned exhaust pi e.

4. The combination with an. airs i of a tubular shaft, a bell mouth at the in ct end of said shaft, a propeller securedv to said bell mouth, an exhaust pipe communicating with the rear end of the tubular shaft, a fluid motor on the tubular shaft, an expansion nozzle in the exhaust ipe, and. an exhaust pipe connecting the outiiet of the fluid motor with the first mentioned exhaust pi discharging into said expansion noz e.

5. The combination with an airshi ,of a tubular shaft, a bell mouth at the at end of said shaft, a propeller secured to said ball mouth, anexhaust pipe communicating with the rear end of the tubular shaft, a fluid motor on the tubular shaft, a motor or generator, a fluid directing pipe connecting the generator with the fluid motor, and an exhaust pipe connecting the fluid motor with the first mentioned exhaust pipe whereby and the movement of air through the shaft and exhaust pipe operates to create a suction through the fluid motor and utilize the power thereby created.

6. The comblnation with an airship,

shaft, and means utilizing the movement of air through the airship to. induce a suction upon the exhaust ofsaid motor.

GEORGE craps errand 

